Shopping | New Goodies!

We got some new goodies up on the site today!

Here are just a few of my favorites!

Pins Side Table

Clamp Stool

Hourglass Stool

Denton Side Table

Vintage Locker Side Table

What furniture pieces have you been looking for?  Stay tuned as we add more good stuff!

eDesign | Baby Girl Mix

Urban Perch's most recent eDesign is for the Mix's newest addition, making her special debut in December.  Not only is this little girl entering into the world with two of the greatest (to be) parents, but now she has a sweet, non-thematic room to top it off.

Jess (baby Mix's mama) had picked out the furniture and bedding, and wanted some ideas for potential space layouts and decor to supplement the room.

I wanted to make sure the space was cozy and something the little lady could grow into.  Jess is a dance coach and vice principal, so I thought it would be fun to infuse some dance elements within the space (without plastering the wall with ballet slippers).

Baby Mix's new space plan is below (two were included - one with the sofa, one without), and you can find her Urban Perch designed Pinterest board here.

A few project details:
Avoid: Anything too thematic
Likes: Gray and Yellow
Style: Contemporary, Transitional
Existing furniture: Crib, Dresser, Sofa and Rocker

 
There are a lot of "favorites" in this design scheme.  But two of my favorite finds are this "Foods Before Dudes" print from Scout Mob.

And this linen pillow also available from Scout Mob.

What are some of your favorite pieces?

Interested in affordable virtual interior eDesign services?  Reach out!

Catfish | Aviator Lounge Chair

Oh, Restoration Hardware.  I love you.  But you're so often out of my league.

I've been shopping for an eDesign client and recently fell in love with RH's Aviator Chair.  At $1355 (on sale), it's a little spendy.  But such a statement piece!

So we did a little digging.  What did we find?

The Accelerator Vintage Tobacco Leather Chair.  For $559.99.  A little smaller in depth, and the leather doesn't look quite as warn, but it has good reviews!

Score! 

Interested in becoming an eDesign client?  Reach out! 

Shopping | Portland's Best Kept Cabinet Secret

Our galley kitchen is lacking in storage.  Our stove stands alone, there's no place to put a hot pot.  Wah, wah, wah.

I mean, our kitchen has some other issues too.  Faux brick, wallpaper, highly textured walls, tile counters, dated appliances... I could go on, but it's easier to fix one thing at a time.  Or for me, two things at a time considering I am still working on our floors.

I digress.

I've been looking for inexpensive cabinet solutions to install on either side of our stove.

I've been to the ReBuilding Center and was initially excited by all of the cabinet options (its a fun place to explore if nothing else).  But most seemed old, and many were damaged.

Ikea is also great, but we decided to refinish our existing cabinets.

Enter DIY Cabinet Warehouse.  And cue the "ahhhhhhhhhh" music.  DIY Cabinet Warehouse is owned by MasterBrand Cabinets and is a catch all for factory over-runs, miss-ordered product, cancelled orders, and factory returns.

In other words, its an affordable cabinet mecca.

Found a base cabinet for the side of the stove for $25.  Yes, $25.

What's your favorite discount cabinet/building supply source?

Travel | Portland Brunch, are we hungry yet?

We've had a number of people visit this month.  Lucky for us we get to see friends and family.  And doubly lucky?  We get to eat a lot of good food.  Like so much food I'm running on the treadmill while writing this.

Okay, so I'm not.  But I should be.

Here are a few favorites.  Come prepared with something to snack on in line.  Portland's brunch scene is intense and often requires long waits.

Photo Source: Yelp

Pine State Biscuits

Photo Source: Yelp

Screen Door

Photo Source: Yelp

Veritable Quandry

Photo Source: Yelp

Simpatica Dining Hall

Photo Source: Yelp

Broder

Photo Source: Yelp

Tasty n Sons

Photo Source: Yelp

The Waffle Window

Photo Source: Yelp

 Voodoo Doughnut

Hungry yet?

Shopping | Agate Platters

Photo Source: LEIF

I've been planning my Thanksgiving menu.  Well, sort of planning.  I've been looking at recipes and table decor ideas.  It feels like Fall here, and I'm so excited to spend the holiday in our first home with family! 

I want to do an unexpected tablescape.  No turkey decor here.  I stubled upon these agate platters courtesy of Leif and am in love.  Can't you just picture them paired with white linens and funky, painted pumpkins?  Oh, and candles.  Candles are a must.

Concept | Open Kitchen Shelving

Yup, I'm still working on our kitchen floors.  The good news?  I'll think about that and get back to you.

I've been looking at kitchen pictures for some inspiration.  And, well, for a break.  One thing I've been seeing a lot of is open kitchen shelving.  Which I'm sort of digging.

See below for some of my favs.

What do you think?  Would you want people to be able to see into your cabinets?

Take the cabinet doors off, fill, sand and paint

Brass, glass and stone for layers of texture

Utilizing the space in between a window for plate display

Modern meets rustic with these wooden shelves

Beaded board, iron brackets and open shelving for a charming plate display

Eclectic kitchen with open shelving to display oversized mason jars

DIY | Why so quiet?

Things have been quiet around here.

It's eerie.

What's up?  Let me tell you.

Well it all started with a visit from a sub contractor that I was thinking about hiring for help with our kitchen refresh.  He knew a lot about period details.  Particularly, about things in our kitchen.

Then he mentioned that there might be hardwood under our vinyl tiles.

When he left, my interest was piqued.  And my husband was out of town.  It wouldn't hurt anyone to peel back a piece and see for myself.

Perfect storm.

I was SO EXCITED when I saw the hardwood.  I couldn't stop peeling.  It was like I had struck gold.  I could get this done before my husband came home.  A present!

Until, I realized that the adhesive that covered the floor was like one giant, sticky mouse trap.  And I was the mouse.

Cue the internet research.  Hair driers, peanut butter, detergent, scraping.  There was no easy way out.  The only thing that worked was goof gone, pine sol and a lot of scrubbing.  So much scrubbing that my fingers are now arthritic.  And I'm covered in sticky goo.  It's not a good look.

So, that's why it's been so quiet.  Because I'm past the point of no return.  Scrubbing away.  Covered in grime.  Dreaming of hardwood floors.  The dark stuff in the photo is adhesive.

One flooring store we called said it would take three guys a few days to clean the floors.  She also said it would be cheaper to lay a new floor than to hire guys to clean it.

Challenge accepted.

Help.  Me. 

What are you up to?

DIY | Ikea Hacks

Ikea hacking.  Sounds scary, right?

So what's the deal?

Buy inexpensive Ikea furniture, add non-Ikea elements and create new pieces.

Here are a few favorites!

Photo Source: Cucumbersome

Anthropologie inspired end tables by Cucumbersome

Photo Source: Little House Blog

Ikea Rast Side Table goes modern courtesy of Little House Blog

Photo Source: Apartment Therapy

Ikea Bathroom Counter Hack using a kitchen island

Photo Source: Vintage News Junkie

 
Wood shutters using Ikea bed slats

Photo Source: I Heart Organizing

 
Expedit bookcase turns bench from I Heart Organizing

Photo Source: Apartment Therapy

 
Elia Maurizi and Francesco Pepa used Ekby series and some paint to create this colorful shelf

Seen any good Ikea hacks lately?  Share your favorite!

Shopping | One Kings Lane

What are you up to this weekend?

Up for a little shopping?  Check out One Kings Lane for some fun sales, starting today!  Lucky you.  You don't even have to leave the sofa!


Tailgating Essentials at One Kings Lane until 9/9!
Hut, hut, hike! Football season is upon us, and it's time for the best part of Sunday game day: tailgating. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just a devoted eater, these tailgating essentials will make you the talk of the parking lot.


Shining Achievements Jewlery at One Kings Lane until 9/9
Iconic designer Tony Duquette is best known for his over-the-top theatrical sets, the grand fetes he staged, and for decorating jaw-dropping rooms. But he also created showstopping jewelry. Made from his signature sultry malachite, succulent gemstones, coral-hued resin, and slices of mother-of-pearl in gilded settings, his work is pure beauty at its most eccentric. One Kings Lane is honored to offer pieces straight from his vault, a treasure trove of jewels that will transport you to his unique fantasy world.


Melissa and Doug at One Kings Lane until 9/10!
A trusted name in child's play, Melissa & Doug is synonymous with thoughtful, interactive, high-quality toys, beloved by parents and kids alike. This selection includes a wide range for toddlers and older kids, from colorful pull-alongs to crafts and puzzles, all made to keep little hands busy and brains engaged.    

DIY | Dresser Makeover

Recently purchased a CL dresser for our bedroom.  I named him Hugo. 

Then decided that I actually wanted an existing dresser upstairs.  Thank God for patient husbands.

So Hugo stayed in my office.  And I began researching DIY projects to give him a face lift.  We are going to be working together daily.  Hugo needs to look good.  Real good.

See below for just a few of my favorite DIY dressers.



Photo Source: For Chic Sake

Photo Source: Me and Jilly



Photo Source: Ikea Hackers

Photo Source: Little Green Notebook

Photo Source: Design Sponge

Photo Source: Martha Stewart

Photo Source: Elle Decor

Which dresser is your favorite?  Got any fun weekend projects?